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The high school girls lacrosse scene in Chester County has been vibrant for years and it shows no sign of being anything less this spring.
In a preseason ranking by phillylacrosse.com, nine teams from the County were either ranked or under consideration between AAA and AA. Eight of those teams are from the Ches-Mont League, in which the National and American Division races should be highly competitive.
Leading the way heading into the season are defending PIAA 3A champion Conestoga and Downingtown West, who made it to the second round of states.
Here is a team-by-team look around the county:
Ches-Mont League
National Division
Avon Grove: The Red Devils return the bulk of their team from last year, including goalie Kylee Mellott, midfielders Rylee Boyd and attackers Maggie Dunckle, Maggie Boyle and Lilly Keen. Mellott made the Daily Local News All-Area first team last season. Coming back on the defensive line are Maddie Regester, Brianna Regester and Bella Anzalone,
Among the newcomers expected to contribute are Kendall Mellott, Liv Horner, Liv Garvin and Kate Gillin,
The Red Devils finished 9-3 in the National last season and fell to Ridley in the first round of districts.
“Excited for the season,” said third-year coach Carlee Costello. “We have an amazing group of seasoned leaders and a group of younger players ready to set up and compete.”
Bishop Shanahan: The Eagles captured the District 1 2A championship last spring and will move up to 3A this season. They return a plethora of college committed players, including Stella D’Ambro (Rutgers), Carly Cunningham (Coastal Carolina), Gillian Greco (Drexel), Elise Pezone (UMBC), Riley Murray (Manhattan), Adri Sward (Scranton), Emma McGlothlin (Coastal Carolina) and Juliana O’Brien (West Chester). Fiona Duncheski is also one of the veteran returnees to team with newcomers Caroline Ferraro, Natalie Gaffney, Charley Melconian, Reese Melconian, Callie Murray, Lila Behnam, Cora McGlothlin, Haileigh Lynn and Paige Darlington.
“This team is battle-tested from the 2024 season and looking forward to our first year competing in 3A,” said coach Kacy Small.
Coatesville: New coach Kolleen Kitzinger DiPietro welcomes newcomers Avery O’Hara, Kaylee Harvey, Kylie Irwin, Myra Matukaitis, Kelsey Gathercole, Cam Williams and Bella D’Amato.
Downingtown East: The Cougars rebuild after losing 11 seniors from a team that lost only twice in the C-M National last season. Returning this season are midfield engine Riley Marks, attack Jayne Michaels, goalie Addy Mulhern and sophomore midfielder Collyn Kropp. Other players from last year’s team expected to see more work this time around include midfielders Holly Vossler and Lydia Birzes, defenders Lilliana Romano, Joelle Schultz and Ruby Zhao and attack Ahley Januszko.
Downingtown West: After falling to Conestoga in the district semifinals and Manheim Township in the state quarterfinals, the Whippets bring back a strong returning core looking to turn that around. Leading the list of returnees are two members of the Daily Local News All-Area team, midfielders Autumn Blair and Ava Findora. Blair racked up 76 goals and 40 assists in 2024, while Findora, the reigning Ches-Mont National MVP, also had 76 goals and was tremendous in the draw circle.
West also brings back Brinn Findora, Taylor Bergey, Gracie Mullen and Lily Miller, along with Emmie Bressi in goal.
“Our season is filled with strong competition, but this team is definitely excited and ready for the challenge,” said coach Emily Ernest. “Our focus this year is ‘All In, All Season.”
West Chester East: The Vikings are looking to improve from last season’s 4-7 division mark and reach the 2A playoffs. They will be led by a collection of seniors — midfielders Claudia Gretto and Lucy Daley, defenders Kylie Chandler and Jessica Steinberger and attack Jordan Colston. Junior attacks Andrea Rubio and Allie Hoffman are also expected to contribute to the offense. Backstopping them in goal is junior Madelyn Morris, who has committed to Rutgers.
West Chester Henderson: The Warriors finished fifth in the National last season and defeated Central Bucks West in districts, before falling to Conestoga. Key returnees include Reese Heim, Mary Kate Killoran, Kendall Brandon, Bailey Schalleur and Lyla Raffaele.
American Division
Great Valley: The Patriots return the bulk of their team as they strive to get back into the postseason. Leading the way up front in attack are Samantha Lavin and Erica Ludin, plus midfielders Missi Espenshade and Abby Diamond. In the back, defender Ellie McClennen and goalie Catie Borger also return for veteran coach Kim Wenger.
Kennett: The Blue Demons will be driven on offense by senior midfielder Marissa Herring. The West Chester signee is closing in on the 100 goal milestone. Among the Division I recruits are seniors Monica McBride (LaSalle), Quinn Simmons (Mount St. Mary’s) and junior Maura Keitch (George Washington). Sophomore midfielder Catherine Chiomento is expected to be a key component.
“First-year varsity starter, senior Marta Tresoldi, brings maturity and consistency to the goalie position with her quickness,” said coach Stephanie Mark.
“I am looking forward to my first season with this group, who is a mix of veterans and newcomers on varsity. We have great athletes in the program and we look to be competitive in the Ches-Mont League.”
Unionville: The bulk of the roster, which were sophomores and juniors last season, are now juniors and seniors. Heading that list is junior goalie Lyla Watson and midfielder Sarah Vasko. Seniors Mary Kate Cawley and Fiona Avondolio pace the attack along with junior Kiki Glackin. The Longhorns took their lumps in the American in 2024, but hope they will reap the awards this campaign.
West Chester Rustin: The Golden Knights bring back reigning Ches-Mont American Player of the Year and first-team All-Area member Jordyn Krafchick.
The senior dented the back of the net 60 times last season. Rustin returns an experienced crew headed by attacks Sara Betchyk and Julia McCall and defenders Marley Seaman, Sloane Reilly and Ella Gentile. Also among key contributors are junior Sammie McLaughlin and defender Mina Benedetto.
Other teams
Collegium Charter: The Cougars lost one of the best players in school history in Aniyah White due to graduation. They bring back attacks Sydney Yack and Maureen Barsee, midfielders Gabby Patterson and Maria Leon Darza and goalie Ellen Green.
Conestoga: The Pioneers have to rebuild and reload after losing 17 seniors from the team who turned the tables on Radnor and defeated them to capture the state title. Among the players coming back are captains Georgia Rio and Maria Ziff. Also back are senior Maddie Pulliam and juniors Carolyn Jones and Sofia Calvitti.
Veteran coach Amy Orcutt will have a group of talented newcomers, including sophomores Lu Misener and Bianca Antonacci, juniors Katie Mierzwa and Maggie Neary and a freshman that Orcutt has known for a long time, her daughter, Price.
“After winning the 2024 3A state championship and graduating 17 seniors, we have a lot of very strong new players who will be competing for a Central, district and state championship again,” Orcutt said.
Villa Maria: The Hurricanes had another successful season in 2024. They went 18-7, went to the District 1 2A championship game and reached the state semifinals. Coach Theresa Giunta has a potent mix of experience and youth.
Heading the attack will be senior Lila Traynor and junior Sophia Tray along with senior Caroline Capaldi and sophomore Kayla Cellucci in midfield. The defense is buoyed by senior defender Liv Green and senior goalie Quinn Hechler.
Freshmen Shea Burns and Georgia Spano and sophomore Remi Burns also will be counted on to make solid contributions.
“This year we have several key returners in our upperclassmen, led by a strong defensive unit (Ellie Rayer, Liv Greene and Quinn Hechler),” said Giunta. “Our speed in our midfield and IQ on attack will round out our team with seasoned upperclassmen and a new perspective with new players. We have a lot of untapped potential to show this year that is anchored in having a teammate mentality and a competitive drive in all of our players.”
